Food and Drink Trends

Of course food and drink trends are MY FAVORITE!!!

- His and Her Stations (each having their respective favorite foods!)

Photo by: The Memory Journalists
- Sample Stations - for example, pairing wine and cheese. Not only fun, but educational!
Photo by: The Memory Journalists

- Small Plates - I love the pairing of comfort foods along with something a bit more on trend and decadent!

Photo by: Brandy Sommer Photography

- Familiar/Identifiable Foods - jazzing them up a bit. For example, Abigail Kirsch in NY does Portobello sirloin burgers with truffle potato chips instead of basic sliders.

Photo by: Brandy Sommer Photography

- Ethnic Food Stations - for example, stations based on the Pacific Rim. Caterers are also telling me they predict that Greek, Middle Eastern, North African and Lebanese cuisines will grow in popularity.

- Seeing fabulous family-style platters and the trend of using fabulous and unique serving pieces for a combination of beef, fish and all types of sides.

- Late Night Snack - becoming even more popular, whether it's a traditional egg offering, or pizza and sliders. I have seen gourmet popcorn stations served in little brown cups.

- Seeing lots of tray passed sweets, lollipop-style and mini ice cream sandwiches are very popular

Photo by: Brandy Sommer Photography

- A special treat while guests are waiting in their cars, such as warm chocolate chip cookies, mini milk shots or root beer floats.

Photo by: Artistic Imagery

- Wine - becoming more popular served in fabulous decanters and paired with food.

- Also seeing dark drinks come back; whiskey and scotch are becoming increasingly popular! Seeing lots of scotch bars.

- Specialty Drink Bars - once I saw a six flavor Bellini bar that was amazing. Fun champagne bars with mixers (Chambord, Midori, cranberry or pineapple juice).

- Seeing lots of stylish items to dress up your drinks such as lavender or rose petals.

Top 10 Event Trends for 2010 - Helping you to be On-Trend vs. Trendy (Part 2)

This is the second in a two part series. These top ten trends are provided by NACE - the National Association of Catering Executives. Enjoy!

6) Floral More organic arrangements that are loose and lush, using the natural shape of a vine or branch to guide the arrangement. More fruit will be used in the floral arrangements...the look of a still life painting!
Photo by: Unknown Flowers: Blooms Venue: La Provence Restaurant

7) Going even more Green! Organic flowers, recycled paper for invitations, biodegradable plates and utensils, reusing materials, and scrapping unnecessary and wasteful flourishes will become standard.

Graphic by: Laura Hooper Calligraphy

8) Photography/Videography There is a trend toward more high-concept, fashion editorial-style photos with an edge that are shot very much in a photo journalistic manner.

AI FILMS Promo Video from artistic imagery films on Vimeo.

Video by: Artistic Imagery Films

9) Entertainment Jazz, photo booths, Wii games, dance lessons on vinyl covered dance floors, DJs and mixing various forms of entertainment (jazz with dinner, band for dancing and a DJ for an after-party) will be all the rage in „10!
Photo by: Profinish Design

10) Check back tomorrow... number 10 is all about Food and Drink Trends!

Top 10 Event Trends for 2010 - Helping you to be On-Trend vs. Trendy (Part 1)

As I've mentioned before, I am a member of NACE (National Association of Catering Executives). I received an email this morning with the annual report on trends. I LOVE hearing what industry groups consider trends. Sometimes I agree wholeheartedly, other times I just don't see it. I'm going to share these with you in a couple of parts, so check back for more!

1) The Overall Atmosphere A more architectural, modern and environmental look will be prevalent, versus a frilly and fussy atmos-phere!

Photo by: True Love Photo, Location: Citizen Hotel, Cake: Sugar and Spice Specialty Desserts

2) Alternative Spaces People will continue to love the com-forts of being able to produce their event or wedding in a hotel, but will want to use alternative spaces in the hotel for their function(s).
Photo by: Tinywayter Event Planner: Amber Novey of Platinum Planning Venue: The Flower Farm Inn

3) The Lounge Look Furniture of all shapes and sizes will take center stage! Groupings much like you would see in a hotel lobby will be wildly popular! Photo by: Chenin Boutwell Special Thanks to Style Me Pretty

4) Table Design Long share tables remain popular and on trend! Additionally square and rectangular shapes will be requested even more in 2010. People want texture; they want delights both to the touch and eye!
Photo by: Scott Andrew Venue: Mulvaney's Building and Loan Planner: Alison Ulshoffer Events

5) Lighting Whether it is gobos, dimming, gelling the existing lights in the ballroom or contracting with a lighting designer and company to wash the ballroom in color, lighting will be at it most popular height ever! Photo by: Rachelle Photography Lighting by: Extreme Productions

mmmmm, Chocolate...

I just got in a new shipment of chocolate transfer sheets! These are patterns that can be transferred to truffles and chocolate decorations and are a great way to add a big impact to even the most straight forward dessert.

This first group is for cupcakes for a sweet 16 birthday party...

(Strangely, the giraffe print won't upload... but I'm sure you can imagine.)

These next images are more general purpose, but I have a feeling one of them is going to wind up on the groom's cake I'll be doing for the Sacramento chapter of the Association of Bridal Consultants. I also have a wedding next Friday in Capitola that I'll be using one of them on... so excited about that one!

I also have a couple of projects coming up, so you'll have to keep your eyes open. The first is the Bella Donna Bridal 2010 Preview Collection Event. We'll be providing small desserts for everyone and little take home presents for all the attendees. The next is a favor for the next meeting of the Sacramento chapter of NACE (the National Association of Catering Executives) to promote their annual conference in Austin, Texas... if it works out like I'm hoping it's going to be SMOKIN' HOT!

Professional Association - NACE

Networking. It feels like Chinese water torture, over and over you hear about the importance of networking. There are few associations that I feel the need to join and trust me, there are so many out there that I could go to a meeting a week if I didn't judiciously pick and choose!

NACE (National Association of Catering Executives) is an association that I am proud to be a new member of... NACE, as I know it in Sacramento, is made of up all those professionals who make amazing events, well, AMAZING! It's not just the caterers and people like me, bakers, but it's the linen companies, the musicians, the event planners, and all those other professionals that know how to add that "something special" to an event that really makes every guest say WOW!

NACE has, roughly, monthly meetings, so you'll see posts from the meetings as I participate, but I'm really excited to see how this new networking and educational opportunity can help me grow my business. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to post them and I'll do what I can to help answer.

Mini Abstract Chocolate Sculpture/ Dessert Pedistal

Photo by: Siegel's Portraits

Pictured of some little place chocolate sculptures/dessert pedestals that I made for Wershing and Ward Eventeurs for their Chocolate Table that was entered into the tabletop design contest this past week at NACE's (National Association of Catering Executives) monthly meeting. This month was out at Wilson Vineyards and boy was it hot... so hot that the sculptures were starting to melt as soon as they were put out. This changed the look at bit... the little tartlet that is shown on the side was supposed to be on TOP of the sculpture... and the part that you don't see is that under the chocolate dome is another tartlet (kind of a hidden surprise). The tartlet was a salted caramel and chocolate tartlet with gold and silver leaf on top.

This is a great idea for an edible favor that can pull double duty as table decoration!


Enjoy!

Photos by: Jacqueline Photography

NACE Dessert

It seems like FOREVER ago, but it was only last month that The National Association of Catering Executives had their meeting at the restaurant where I share a kitchen. NACE met at La Perla Bistro for their monthly meeting. The theme was Comfort Food. I made Caramel Apple Bread Pudding with Sour Cherries and Cinnamon Ice Cream. mmmmmmm. Here is the picture thanks to NJ from Memory Journalists!